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RUNWAY REPORT

Paris Fashion Week: A Runway Roundup of Reinvention, Romance, & Power Dressing

Written By: Priyanka Bimal

From hydrangeas at Trocadéro to couture at the Louvre, Spring/Summer 2026 proved that in Paris, fashion isn’t just worn—it’s lived.

As the world’s most glamorous fashion circus rolled into Paris this season, one thing was clear: the Spring/Summer 2026 collections weren’t just about clothes—they were about storytelling, reinvention, and spectacle. From hydrangea-lined runways to royal backdrops and daring debuts, this edition brought together the biggest maisons, new creative voices, and a dose of theatrical flair that only Paris can deliver.

Saint Laurent knows how to create a fashion moment. Creative director Anthony Vaccarello opened the week with a spectacle at Trocadéro—a location overlooking the glittering Eiffel Tower. Thousands of white hydrangeas spelled out the iconic YSL logo as models, including Bella Hadid, strode through in leather pencil skirts, ruffled gowns, and dramatic bows. It was a vision of powerful femininity, sharp tailoring, and sensual confidence—a modern romance set against one of the world’s most breathtaking backdrops.

Anticipation was sky-high for Balenciaga as Pierpaolo Piccioli made his debut for the house. With Meghan Markle in the front row, the show paid homage to the house’s history while introducing Piccioli’s signature romantic elegance: leather capes, voluminous ball skirts, and softly structured dresses

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At Chloé, Chemena Kamali explored the paradox of couture in a house historically built on ease. Her vision was a poetic merging of structured elegance and unforced femininity. The runway opened with a symphony of movement—billowing floral dresses that flounced, paired with sculpted skirts that gave quiet strength to the silhouette.

Kamali leaned into the house’s romantic codes but sharpened them with a couture edge. Outerwear—once a casual layering piece—was elevated into the evening realm with fluid tailoring, exaggerated shoulders, and whisper-light textures that shimmered under the lights.

Tom Ford, under the direction of Haider Ackermann took over the fog-filled runway with sensual draped gowns in silk and jersey. Vibrant hues—neon green, citrus orange, electric blue—collided with dollops of oomph. Ackermann’s sophomore outing captured the essence of evening glamour with a contemporary edge.

Olivier Rousteing's Balmain lineup echoed his journey—challenging himself within the house he’s made his own. Rousteing’s signature bold shoulders and sharp tailoring were ever-present, infused with a sense of renewal and confidence.

Mugler’s debut under Miguel Castro Freitas took the brand’s iconic architectural silhouettes softened into wearable pieces of art. The house’s legendary theatricality was still there, but with a grounded, inclusive tone that felt fresh and relevant.

For Isabel Marant, the season marked the beginning of a new chapter with Kim Bekker taking the reins. Inspired by wanderlust, the collection channeled effortless Parisian chic—flowing skirts, soft leathers, and bohemian blouses, it was light, free-spirited, and quintessentially Marant.

A Season of Shifts At Paris Fashion Week

Valentino, now helmed by Alessandro Michele, offered shimmering sequins, silk bows, and draped velvet. “We need to disarm the eyes and reawaken the gaze,” Michele wrote in his notes—a fitting description for a show that felt both dreamy and rebellious. Meanwhile, Jean Paul Gaultier saw Duran Lantink explore body politics with inflated cones and sailor stripes. It was cheeky, bold, and deliciously Parisian.

Alexander McQueen designer Seán McGirr dialed up the sensuality with micro skirts, corsetry, and sharp silhouettes—a new, edgier chapter for the house. At Coperni, designers Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant blended science and style with “carewear” infused with adaptive tailoring. It was futuristic fashion with real-world intent—a sign of how Paris continues to push boundaries.

This season of Paris Fashion Week wasn’t just a calendar of shows—it was a series of pivotal moments. A new era at Balenciaga. A chorus of creative voices pushing for inclusivity, emotion, and fresh perspectives.

Paris reaffirmed its role as fashion’s beating heart: romantic yet rebellious, traditional yet transformative. As the lights dim on SS26, one thing is certain—the conversation has only just begun.

Written By: Priyanka Bimal